European campylobacter rates stabilise

Latest figures on European-wide campylobacter rates suggest human infections have stabilised for the first time in five years.

But the bug remained the most commonly reported cause of food poisoning, with more than double the infection rates of the next zoological illness, salmonella, according to the European Food Safety Authority (Efsa).

It said there were 214,779 cases of campylobacter in humans in 2013, equating to 64.8 for every 100,000 people.

The report noted that, while 43% of cases resulted in hospitalisation, there was comparatively low mortality, at 0.5% – or 56 deaths.

In contrast, there were 84,000 cases of salmonella causing 59 deaths.

Testing broilers for campylobacter found 31.4% positives. However, Efsa suggested this figure may be an underestimate, because the majority of samples were taken in the Netherlands and Nordic countries, where control programmes are well established.

Marta Hugas, an Efsa director, said the downward trend was "good news, but we should not lower our guard".